Electrophoresis cassette and comb

Abstract

An assembly for gel electrophoresis includes a gel cassette and a comb. The gel cassette includes a retainer plate and a divider plate coupled to form a cavity therebetween. The comb includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end, an intermediate portion connected to the elongated body and extending between the first and second ends, the intermediate portion having a third end adjacent the first end and a fourth end adjacent the second end, and a plurality of teeth extending from the intermediate portion. The plurality of teeth is spaced apart from at least one of the third end and the fourth end. In response to the comb being received in the gel cassette, the intermediate portion is received in the cavity such that the third and the fourth ends are configured to engage an internal edge of the cavity.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An assembly for gel electrophoresis comprising:
 a gel cassette comprising a retainer plate and a divider plate coupled to form a cavity between the retainer plate and the divider plate; and   a comb comprising
 an elongated body having a first end and a second end, 
 an intermediate portion connected to the elongated body and extending between the first end and the second end, the intermediate portion having a third end adjacent the first end of the elongated body and a fourth end adjacent the second end of the elongated body, and 
 a plurality of teeth extending from the intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, the plurality of teeth spaced apart from at least one of the third end and the fourth end, 
   wherein the comb is configured to be received in the gel cassette, and   wherein in response to the comb being received in the gel cassette, the intermediate portion is received in the cavity such that the third and the fourth ends are configured to engage an internal edge of the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of teeth includes a first tooth nearest the third end of the intermediate portion,   the first tooth has a first width,   the first tooth is spaced apart from the third end of the intermediate portion by a first distance, and   the first distance is greater than the first width.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the plurality of teeth includes a second tooth nearest the fourth end of the intermediate portion,   the second tooth has a second width,   the second tooth is spaced apart from the fourth end of the intermediate portion by a second distance, and   the second distance is greater than the second width.   
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first width is identical to the second width, and wherein the first distance is identical to the second distance. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the plurality of teeth includes a third tooth between the first tooth and the second tooth,   the third tooth has a third width, and   the third width is greater than the first width and/or the second width.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth has an identical width. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly for gel electrophoresis comprising:
 a gel cassette configured to accommodate an electrophoresis gel casting solution, the gel cassette including a retainer plate and a divider plate coupled to form a cavity between the retainer plate and the divider plate, the retainer plate having an upper edge adjacent an opening to the cavity; and   a comb including
 an elongated body having
 a first end, 
 a second end opposite the first end, and 
 a channel extending between the first end and the second end, 
 
 a plurality of teeth extending from the elongated body between the first end and the second end, and 
 a wall extending at least partially around a periphery of the elongated body, 
   wherein the comb is configured to be received in the gel cassette, and   wherein in response to the comb being received in the gel cassette, a portion of the wall is configured to engage the upper edge of the retainer plate.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the wall extends from a first side of the elongated body, and wherein the channel extends along a second side of the elongated body opposite the first side. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the wall includes a rim extending between the first end and the second end and a lip extending between the first end and the second end, and wherein in response to the comb being received in the gel cassette, the rim is configured to engage the upper edge of the retainer plate. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a recess is defined between the rim and the lip, and wherein the lip improves access to the elongated body to assist removal of the comb from the gel cassette. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the elongated body includes a sloped surface in the recess and adjacent the rim, and wherein the electrophoresis gel casting solution is configured to flow along the sloped surface and off the comb, and wherein the sloped surface is positioned on a side of the elongated body opposite the channel. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the retainer plate includes:
 a retainer body,   an abutment portion extending along the retainer body adjacent the opening, the abutment portion having the upper edge, the abutment portion having tapered edges, and   a rail extending along the retainer body, the rail spaced apart from the abutment portion, the rail having tapered edges.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the comb includes an intermediate portion between the elongated body and the plurality of teeth,   the intermediate portion extends between the first end and the second end of the elongated body,   the intermediate portion has a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, and   in response to the comb being received in the gel cassette, the third and the fourth ends are configured to engage an internal edge of the cavity.   
     
     
         14 . A comb for gel electrophoresis comprising:
 an elongated body including a first end and a second end;   a wall extending at least partially around a periphery of the elongated body;   an intermediate portion connected to the wall and extending between the first end and the second end of the elongated body, the intermediate portion having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end, the third end adjacent the first end of the elongated body, the fourth end adjacent the second end of the elongated body; and   a plurality of teeth extending from the intermediate portion between the third end and the fourth end, the plurality of teeth spaced apart from at least one of the third end and the fourth end.   
     
     
         15 . The comb of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of teeth includes a first tooth nearest the third end of the intermediate portion,   the first tooth has a first width,   the first tooth is spaced apart from the third end of the intermediate portion by a first distance, and   the first distance is greater than the first width.   
     
     
         16 . The comb of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the plurality of teeth includes a second tooth nearest the fourth end of the intermediate portion,   the second tooth has a second width,   the second tooth is spaced apart from the fourth end of the intermediate portion by a second distance, and   the second distance is greater than the second width.   
     
     
         17 . The comb of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the plurality of teeth includes a third tooth between the first tooth and the second tooth,   the third tooth has a third width, and   the third width is greater than the first width and the second width.   
     
     
         18 . The comb of  claim 14 , wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth has an identical width. 
     
     
         19 . The comb of  claim 14 , wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth includes a first portion and a second portion on a side of the first portion opposite the intermediate portion, and wherein the second portion is angled relative to the first portion. 
     
     
         20 . The comb of  claim 19 , wherein:
 each tooth of the plurality of teeth includes a third portion on a side of the second portion opposite the first portion,   the first portion defines a first planar surface,   the third portion defines a third planar surface, and   the first planar surface is parallel to the third planar surface.